ANSWER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS IS QUARANTINE

Although I agree with Greg Francisco ("Stop getting tough on drugs,
get smart," Valley Times, Dec. 13) that cigarettes arguably kill more
Americans than all other drugs combined, his comparison of nicotine
use to alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine or other such substances
shows the weakness of his entire argument. Tobacco is a legal
substance for adults to purchase and ingest. Tobacco does not impair
one's ability to drive or think clearly, nor do nicotine addicts rob,
steal, burglarize or murder to support their nicotine habit.

Apparently what Mr. Francisco fails to grasp is that most of us don't
care about what type of substance anyone ingests as long as it has no
impact on us. The problem with substance abuse and addiction is that
abusers and addicts behave in ways that put me and my property at
risk. That's where I draw the line.

If someone wants to drink himself or herself into oblivion, fine,
just stay in your own home and off the roads so you don't harm anyone
or damage property.

If you choose self-destruction by sticking the needle in your arm or
pipe in your mouth, I don't care. However, when you harm the innocent
or steal property to support your suicidal behavior, you have become
a danger to civilized society and need to be removed from it.

If that consequence seems too harsh to the bleeding hearts who are
seemingly in the business of manufacturing pathetic excuses for this
anti-social behavior, boo-hoo.

There are countless private and taxpayer-funded programs available to
addicts who show a desire to clean themselves up. Many take advantage
of those programs, most don't.

Mr. Francisco may be correct when he claims that all drug addiction
is a "medical problem." What he fails to appreciate is that the
behavior of those affected by the "disease" sometimes impacts the
lives of innocent people with fatal consequences.

Therefore, I support quarantine.

TODD BRADISH

Tualatin